GOP alleges nonpartisan candidate accepted loan from Dems

JUNEAU (AP) -- The state GOP claims that Democrats illegally loaned $1,200 to nonpartisan candidate for state House Jim Crary, a claim Democrats immediately denied.

In a complaint filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission, state Republican Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich said Democrats failed to disclose the campaign loan. Republicans filed the complaint Monday.

The complaint alleged Crary received a loan that he listed as ''coordinated campaign participation'' in disclosure statements filed with APOC.

State Democratic Party Chairman Scott Sterling said he has not seen the complaint but said the ''coordinated campaign'' program is a service that candidates purchase.

Candidates pay a fee to the party and receive voter identification records, telephone lists and other information useful in a campaign, Sterling said.

It is available to Democrat candidates and candidates that generally agree to adhere to Democratic principals, Sterling said.

''All parties do this. It's not unique to Democrats,'' Sterling said.

A spokeswoman for the Alaska Democratic Party said Crary was not loaned any money. Crary, a nonpartisan candidate running against Republican Bob Lynn for House District 31 in Anchorage, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.